What's Better: Montreal or Austin?

If your focus is purely on track sessions, then my pick would be Austin. Overall experience, I would pick Montreal.

 

Both great tracks imho and I am thankfull for both.

 

I've done both.

For watching the best race, go to Austin.

For having the best race experience, go to Montreal.

The sight lines at Austin are unreal. You can see SO much of the track from pretty much anywhere that you're more engaged in the action. Montreal is much more restricted and in most places you can only see your little area of the track.

Montreal is by far the best race city. The subway goes right to the track, the entire downtown area is prepared for the weekend events, it's easy in and easy out whether on race day or flying in/out. They also do a MUCH better job with food, drink, and souveniers at the track. Austin was a nightmare for food at the track, though it will hopefully improve.

If you told me that I could only do 1 next year, I'd go to Montreal.

 

-I agree. F1 still needs to win over the U.S. market. Time and time again, it hasn't.

IMHO

Joe

 

I had a similar feeling, there was usually just a smile and friendly comment to the Gate Keepers in the stands, to 'step in and see the view" and it was granted.
I tried to model my behavior on the "Yellow Hats" of Indianapolis (lots of similarities to draw from..)

Of course we were Guides to any seat in the house, taking a group of Spaniards to the Velocity Club, checking in with the Ferrari gang...

I'm going to Montreal in hopes they return the hospitality!
And to meet the Fchat crew!!

 

Austin wa GREAT! Loved the track...lthough I;ve always wanted to go to Montreal becaus of the history behind it... ANyways... Hope the Montreal experience next June goes as smooth as possible... ;-)

 

There is history indeed. The mayor in 78 flew to France to convince the F1 bosses to add Montreal to their calendar something like 3 months before the race was to take place.

The F1 bosses asked how do you build a track in just 3 months? it's impossible. The mayor answered: In America, construction is quick, unlike Europe so they said yes.

After that, the crews moved in and built the track working 24/7 until the last night before the teams arrived. pits were not built so they used motorhomes instead and local boy Gilles Villeneuve won the race in a true fairy tale ending. He held up a beer bottle instead of the typical champagne on the podium which embarassed the f1 bosses...

quite a story.....

 

IIRC, Isobel was at that race with her Dad & brothers - Cold & wet? But I believe she has some good stories.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Montreal because it's like a quicker, cheaper weekend jaunt to Europe and there are no (vehicular) traffic problems. I doubt Austin has the same charms, while it looks like I may need a passport to visit there as well in the future!

 

Do you know if FCA or another Ferrari Club are planning "track day" type events in the Austin COTA track? thanks.

 

I live in Austin and the USGP was my first F1 race in person. It was absolutely incredible.

I was worried about the logistics but they did a great job. Hoping next year will be even better (altho hopefully Alonso will be on top of the podium).

Austin is an eclectic mix of country, high-tech and hippie/college. Music and college/high school sports rule the day here.

Hoping to visit Montreal next year (the race weekend coincides quite well with my birthday).

 

I did?

 

It was snowing lightly on the far east end of the track - hairpin.

 

Austin, if for no other reason than it is 75 mins from my front door. But there are many other reasons....that is just the best one.

 

There's one next friday. I think it's organized by Ferrari of Houston and Austin.

 

That is very cool and happy news.

 

are you serious?....that soon?...that's great...but if it is this friday Dec 7th, it coincides with our Board meeting and I can't go. Will Ferrari of Houston have any ad in their web page...? what you mean by "Austin"....? thanks.

 

I don't know all the details. I do know it will be on Dec 14th, exclusively for Ferrari owners, and it will cost around $2,000. My understanding is that it is organized by the Austin and Houston dealerships. I have a close friend who is taking his Scud. That's what I know...

 

My intent was mainly track related, sorry I should have been more specific.

 

It sold out in four hours........see Texas Section, one of Risi's 'customers Track Days', with some FCA overlap, in any event....full.

They used to have them a TWS all the time.

Usually fun.....tolerant of "a few" spectators if you sign the Waiver.
No idea if this is the case now.

 

IIRC Montreal is on contract through the '14 season. The circuit needs a refresh, and one where the track surface doesn't get up and leave halfway through the race. That is going to be expensive.

As for a new contract, going forward from '14, I doubt Montreal and Quebec can expect Bernie to repeat his 2009 agreement. $15MM/year to Bernie, 30% of ticket $$ to the venue is the current deal. Remember what Bernie wanted? $35MM/year, 25% ticket $$ to the venue.

Now that Montreal isn't the only game in North America, I doubt that Bernie would think twice about dropping Montreal, were the city and the province to balk at his next offer.

Which is a great shame. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is very special challenge for the teams, the drivers and the cars. For F1 to not race there would be a terrible loss.

But F1 is about money and Montreal and Quebec aren't made of it, Bernie is far too fond of it, and it verily falls from the sky elsewhere.